Her ponytail

Being a parent has to be hands down the hardest job in the world.  I mean, think about it:  you can do work that requires physical activity, work that requires emotional involvement, work that requires brain engaging, and work that is repetitive and monotonous...  but the only job I know of that requires all of someone's entire being is being a parent, as it requires the involvement of all activities mentioned above. 

But never before today did I realize exactly to what extent emotions can get involved.  While moving back to the L.A. area was something I've wanted for a long time, I have taken my kids away from their "best friends".  Specifically, I took Clara away from Veronnie.

Clara and Veronnie became friends because their mothers are best friends.  In time, while growing through toddlerdom into little girls, they developed a great friendship and a love for one another I never witnessed in girls their age.  I could watch either one look at the other with amazing tenderness...  always taking each other's side, Veronnie looking out for Clara at their school, Clara admiring all the new things the older Veronnie could teach her. 

When time came for Veronnie to move onto the 1st grade, Clara was put into a younger class.  The transition was easier for Clara, as she was staying in the same preschool, but Veronnie was venturing into uncharted waters. 

On Veronnie's first day of school her mom called me overcome by emotion:  Veronnie told her she had heard Clara calling her at her new school.  She turned back one way, then the other, but didn't see her...  Later on the same thing happened again, but this time when she turned back to see where Clara was she said she smelled her... convinced her friend was somehwere nearby.

At that moment I realized the value of their friendship.  I've also noticed that in my daughter's golden, bouncing wave tied up in a ponytail much of its luster is gone...  most likely because of the winter... 

...yet I can't help but think that along with Veronnie in Indiana she left half of her sunshine...